Ring rolling machine



Aug 7 1962 F. F. HlLLlx 3,048,202

RING ROLLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 24, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 llIl'l-IIIIIIIV' #ayAl//LUD YINVENTOR. FOSTER E'H/LL/X BY Mw,

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ATTORNEYS Aug. 7, 1962 Filed NOV. 24, 1958 F. F. HlLLlx SING ROLLING MACHINE' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fsrff? f//LL/x WMM/4m, QM? uw.,

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A 'r TOR/v5 YJ Aug- 7, 1952 F. F. HlLLlx 3,048,202

RING ROLLING MACHINE Filed NOV. 24. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A T TOR/VE YJ F. F. HlLLlx 3,048,202

Aug. 7, 1962 RING ROLLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 24, 1958 INVENTOR. Fos Tfn /r//LL/x 5G. /3 BY AT TOR/v5 x5 Filed Nov. 24, 19.55, Ser. No. 775,863 Claims. (Cl. 14d-8S) The present invention relates to ring rolling machines and more particularly to rolling machines capable of Irolling rings of very nearly circular form from relatively hard narrow strip stock hereinafter referred to as strip stock, an example of such rings being chill rings such as are used in the joining of lengths of pipe by welding.

Chill rings `for that purpose are necessarily of a specitic analysis and must fall within close size tolerances to properly carry out their various functions of aligning the pipe sections to be joined, of providing a proper space or groove for forming a bead or weld junction of which the ring becomes a part, and of effectively preventing the forming of icicle-s or other irregularities inside the Welded joint, the latter function being especially important in high pressure, high rate of Itlow pipe lines,

The characteristics of temper and hardness of the metal strip stock from 'which chill rings are made lead to uneven bending and a nonuniform quality of such rings when made by conventional bending machines and practices. To arrive at satisfactory rings, the strip stock would need to be worked by successive passes through a multiroll straightener to achieve uniform ductili-ty in the stock before bending or rolling it to the desired curvature. These steps, together with the fact that the stock used, and the iinished ring, have an upstanding ridge or rib on one side thereof to space and align the pipe ends, lead to uneconomical results in the manufacture of the rings by conventional apparatus and methods.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a novel machine for rolling circular rings from relatively hard stock cut to the length of the circumference of a finished ring, and which continuously works, or bends and reverse bends, the stock to relieve uneven yinternal stresses as it forms the stock into a ring having a substantially uniform curvature, and in which the ends are in alignment and in abutting relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ring rolling machine having a cluster of Irolls by which the strip stock is bent `to a degree of curvature greater than is desired in a finished ring, and to provide in that machine la guide or cam means for removing some of that curvature by reversely bending the curved stock, and to guide the ends of the stock into face-to-face abutting relationship forming a closed ring or circle which can be run or passed repeatedly through the rolls without interruption until a desired uniformity of curvature is Iimparted to the ring.

A-s another object, the invention aims to provide a novel apparatus of the character mentioned in which there is a roller means comprising three rolls having substantially parallel axes of rotation and which are adapted to cooperate to impart a bend or curvature in the ring stock, two rolls being arranged for rotation in fixed position-s and the third being movable with respect to the other two to admit of adjustment and to release a finished ring -for discharge to a receptacle, and in which there is a cam means adjacent the roller means, the cam having a periphery or curved surface substantially circular in shape and preferably somewhat smaller than a finished rin-g, and having an indentation in that periphery in which lthe third roll is located such that the contact between the rolls and the stock is at a position which lies close to the guiding surface of the cam means.

Sitll another object of the invention is the provision of rice a ring rolling machine which is adjustable to produce rings of various sizes land which is easy to operate, whereby rings of uniformly high qualitymay be rapidly and economically produced. In this, the adjustability is attained in part by changing of the cam means or plate and in part by the shifting of guides and the third roll position. The ease in operation is achieved through the use of cert-ain combinations of parts and linkages as will cause opening of the rolls to release a ring, the retraction of a guide plate orV cover, and the actuation of a ring ejector all in the proper sequence and by the movement of a single operating lever or handle to an open position. A return of the handle to its closed position returns yall the parts accurately to their working positions ready to receive a subsequent piece of stock.

A lfurther object is the provision of a machine having bending or coiling rolls which are all driven at the same speed and in which a pair of knurled rolls contact the side of the stock which is to exhibit the outside of the curvature and a smooth, third roll contacts the side of the stock exhibiting the inside of the curvature, whereby .the knurling serves both to grip the stock to advance it and to effect a peening action on the surface of the stock as an aid in forming it, and in which the curvature and thickness of the stock causes a slippage between the third roll and the stock surface contacted by it, resulting in a scuiring or peening action on that surface further aiding in the working of the stock into a circular ring.

The invention has as another object the provision of a machine of the above characteristics which is simple yet rugged of construction and smooth in operation, and which will perform its intended functions reliably and effectively, whereby the production of rings of the type referred .to above may be carried out more rapidly and economically than has been possible heretofore.

Further objects and advantages of the rolling machine of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings for-ming a part of this specification, and in which:

IFIG. 1 is a side elevation of a ring rolling machine of this invention with a portion of the ring stock shown in a partially formed position,

FlG. 2 is a side view of the machine of FIG. l but in a partially open position and with a completed ring in Place,

PEG. 3 i-s a top plan view of the machine of FIG. 1,

FiG. 4 is a front elevation of the machine of FIG. 1 as viewed from the feeding or operators position,

PEG. 5 vis a rear elevation of the machine and showing a portion of the associated drive means,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6 6 of FlG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a view of the rolls and cam plate with a partially completed ring in place,

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but with the in open position and a completed ring in place,

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a strip stock or workpiece,

FIG. l() is a side elevation of a completed chill ring,

FlG. 11 is a partial sectional view of a joint between two lengths of pipe with a chill ring in place before weldlng FIG. l2 is a view similar to FIG. ll but after the Welding is completed, and

FIG. 13 is a detached elevation of a modiiied adjustyable roll of the roll cluster.

The ring rolling machine 10 of this invention has a composite frame structure comprising base members 11 and i2 supporting va pipe-like portion or drive housing 13 above a table top or other work surface 14, a disk-like backing pla-te 15 threadedly secured at `16 to the drive rolls asas,

housing 13, and ya pair of roll supporting blocks 17 and 18. Block `17 is secured directly to the backing plate 15 and the :block 18 is swingable in a manner later to be described in detail, as will be other elements of the frame structure providing pivot supports `orthe like.

The initial bending of a workpiece W is carried out by a cluster of three rolls 19, 2o, and 21 which cooperate to `advance a workpiece W and to impart a curvature thereto. Adjacent the roll cluster is a cam plate 22 presenting a curved cam `or guiding surface in the path of advance of the workpiece W. Roll 21 is movable or shiftable with respect to the -rolls 19 and 2t) yand is so adjusted that in the absence of the cam surface 235 the workpiece W would follow ithe path of curvature indicated by the dot and dash line 24. With the cam plate 22 in place, however, the workpiece W is reversely bent, that is to say some of the curvature imparted to the workpiece by the roll cluster is removed by the cam surface 28, which is itself of lesser curvature than that initially imparted -to the workpiece by the roll cluster.

The `workpiece W, shown in FlG. 9, which has a leading end 2S, la trailing end 26, and a length equal to the desired circumference of :a iinished ring 3i), is reversely bent and guided in its advancement by the cam surface 22 until the leading end 25 is brought adjacent the trailing end 26, which it follows into the roll cluster for subsequent bending and reverse bending by the rolls and the cam surface, respectively.

A cam plate 22 having a surface 23 which is slightly smaller in diameter than a finished chill ring 3@ is preferably used las this places the leading end 2S of the stock into abutting relation with the trailing end 26, thereby keeping the ring free to revolve around the cam surface for repeated passes through the roll cluster. In this manner the stock may be worked and reworked, if necessary, and continuously so, until -a very nearly circular ring is formed.

The workpiece W is guided in its travel in part by a retractable guide 27 which serves to maintain the alignment of the workpiece with the roll cluster as it is fed thereto by `an operator, and again las it follows the cam surface 23 land the end 2S approaches the rolls for reentry. When a ring is completed, the guide 27 is retracted to the position `shown in FIG. 2 to `allow removalof the ring from the open ended roll cluster, roll 21 having y'been moved from a closed position shown in FIG. 7 to an open position as may be seen in FIG. 8. Removal of a completed ring Sii is then effected by an ejector 28, which is swingable from a idle position shown in solid lines in FIG. 3 to an ejeoting position indicated in dot and dash lines in the same iigure.

A single operating handle or lever 29 gives the machine operator, who faces the machine yfrom its left side `as it is seen in FIG. l, control `over the opening of the roll cluster, retraction of the guide 27, and yactuation of the ring ejector 28. The sequence of these functions is determined by novel linkages connecting the above mentioned elements to :the `operating handle 29, which linkages will be described later in detail.

Upon completion of a ring Si? movement of the handle or lever 29 from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2 will, through the above mentioned linkages, swing or lower the block 18 together with the roll y211 to an open position. The retractable guide 27 is operated `at fthe same time `and moves from its guiding position seen in FIG. l to its retracted position Seen in FIG. 2. Further movement of Ithe handle 29 in a direction away from the operator serves to actuate the ejector 28 to eject the completed ring from between the cooperating rolls `19, 2.9 and 21, from which it falls through an opening 14a in the table top or other surface 14 upon which the mach-ine itl is supported. A return of the handle 29 'oy the operator to the position of PEG. l will return the ejector 28, the guide 27 and the roll 21 4 accurately to their working positions leaving the machine ready to receive a subsequent workpiece W.

A. chill ring 30, made by the machine of this invention, is shown in FlG. 10, in which it can be seen that the leading end 25 and the trailing end 26 are abutting one another in a face-to-face relation at 31. In use, a chill ring 3@ is selected which is of a size adapted to snugly iit the bores or passages 32 of pipe sections 33 and 34 which are to be joined by welding. As best seen in FIG. 1l, the ring 30 -is provided with an upstanding ridge or rib 3S about its circumference. The ridge 35 serves as a step to accurately align the pipe sections 33 and 34 and to provide a groove `or space 36 therebetween. In FIG. 12, a completed joint 37 is seen in which a welding bead 3S has been laid inthe groove or space 36 and has fused the pipe sections 33, 3ft and the chill ring 3@ into an interal unit. in order to arrive at a clean and well made joint it is necessary to use chill rings 30 which are uniformly circular and of a size falling within the close tolerance limits dictated by the pipes to be joined.

The machine 1t? of this invention is calculated to produce chill rings of uniform and consistent quality even though made from strip stock which has uneven and varying temper or hardness characteristics. To do this it has Ibeen found necessary to severely work or bend the stock repeatedly to bring the ductility thereof to a condition which will allow uniform bending thereof. This the subject machine accomplishes by coiling or bending a length of stock into a ring 3i) which may be passed repeatedly through the rolls 19, 2@ and 21 and around the cam surface 23 without interruption until the ring has assumed the uniform curvature desired.

Turning now to a more particular description of the mechanisms and linkages of which the machine is cornprised, it will be seen that the generally circular backing plate i5, forminor a part of the composite frame structure, is provided with an ear or extension 4G in which a fulcrum or pivot bearing 41 is formed. The stationary or iixed roll supporting block 17 is secured directly to the backing plate 15, and a hinge 42 having portions i2a and i2b is attached to block 17 and block 18 respectively, and swinga'bly attaches the shiftable roll supporting block 18 to the fixed block 17. Located on the underside of the swingable block 18 is an arm or lever 43 having a pivot bearing dfiin the end thereof.

The rolls 19, 24B` and 2,11, which form the roll cluster, have shafts 19a, 20a and 21L respectively, which are journaled in suitable bushings in the `blocks 17 and 18 for rotation about substantially parallel axes. Roll 2li is supported for rotation by the swingable rblock 18, by reason of which this roll is movable toward or away from rolls 19 and 2i! for purposes of adjustment to different thicknesses of stock, and to permit removal of completed rings by the ejector 28 as mentioned above. The shafts 19, 20a, and 21a extend through the blocks `17 and `18 and through the backing plate 1S into the pipe-like drive housing 13 for association with a drive means therein. An elongated opening 15a is provided in the backing plate 15' to accommodate the displacement of the roll shaft 21e.

The arrangement of the roll cluster is similar to that of a conventional pyramid type bender or coiler. The rolls, however, are peculiarly adapted to perform the above recited objects of peening and working the material. To A this end, rolls 19 and 12b* are provided with knurling in the form of axially extending teeth 4S, whereas the lower roll 21 is smooth. The three rolls are driven at the same speed by the drive means which is later described. However, due to the curvature of the workpiece W and the knurling of rolls -119 and Ztl a small amount of slipping or scuiing occurs Ibet-Ween the roll 21 and the inside surface of the workpiece. T he slipping or scuing contributes to the effective working of the stock by reason of which the ductility thereof is improved. The upper rolls 19' and Ztl are further provided with grooves 46 to receive the upstanding ridge or rib `35 on the stock W. The smooth E" d mova'ble roll 21 may be replaced by a circumferentially grooved roll 21a, illustrated in FIG. 13, the grooves and ridges 2lb thereof aiding in breaking the skin effect such as that acquired by stock made by cold rolling processes. The grooves and ridges 21|D aid also in maintaining the alignment of the stock as it passes from the roll cluster.

A draw rod 47 in the form of an eyebolt having a shank portion and a threaded end portion 48 is pivotally connected at 4'4 to the arm l43. Surrounding the shank portion of the draw rod 47, and slidable thereon, is a bushing 49 having a beveled flange 50. An internally threaded adjusting member 51, having an indexing disk 52 secured thereto by a nut 53, is threadedly retained on the end portion 48 of the draw rod 47 and serves to position the bushing "49 along the draw rod. A vbushing guide Vmember 54 is rotatably secured in the pivot bearing 41 of the backing plate extension 40 and has an eye portion 55 surrounding the bushing y49 in a guiding relationship. A locking nut 56 having a cross bar 57 is threaded onto the end portion of the draw rod 47 and serves to lock the adjusting member 51, its associated index disk, and the bushing 49 in their adjusted positions along the draw rod.

A bracket menrber 60 is secured to the backing plate and provides pivotal support at 61 for a bifurcated cam member 62. The cam member 62 has a ramp portions 63 upon which the beveled flange 50 of the bushing 49' is adapted to ride. Rotation of the cam member 62 in a clockwise direction when viewed in FIG. 1, will allow the flange 50 to ride down from holding surfaces 64 onto the ramp portions 63, thereby allowing the draw rod 47 to descend and lower the arm 43 and the block 18 connected therewith, shifting the roll 2-1 to an open position, as shown in FIG. 2.

To ensure opening of the roll cluster upon a removal of support from the ilange 50 of the bushing 49, a plunger spring 65 is interposed between a plunger guide 66, secured to the bracket member 60, and the arm 43. The spring 65 surrounds a plunger rod 67 which is reciprocable in the guide 66, the rod serving to maintain the alignment of the spring 65. When the cam member 62 is turned in a counterclockwise direction the beveled ange 50 of the bushing 49 will ride up the ramp portions 63 to the holding surfaces 64, causing the draw rod 47 to draw the arm 43, and hence the roll 21, to a closed or operating position.

The operating lever or handle 29 is bolted at 70 to an arm 7.1 formed conveniently as a part of the cam member 62. A pair of connecting links 72 are bolted at 73 to the cam member `62 and at '74 to the operating handle 29 so that the handle and the cam member are joined for movement as a unit around the pivot `61. To ensure smooth operation of the handle 29 and its associated linkages, an extension spring 75 is connected between an arm 7 6 of the bracket member 60 and arm 7-1 of the cam member 62 at points 77 and 75 respectively. The spring 75 opposes rotation of the handle 2-9 about the pivot 61 in a clockwise direction to prevent opening of the roll cluster from vibration of the machine, Ibut is not of sufficient strength to prevent the machinee'from remaining in an open position with the handle released.

The cam plate 22, which has been described as presenting a curved cam or guiding surface 23, is secured by screws '80 and 811 to a slidable carriage 82, which is provided with elongated openings 83 and 84 therethrough. A pair of screws 85 and S6 extend through a clamping plate 07, the elongated openings 83 and 84, and into the `arm 43 for releasably clamping the carriage 82.

The position of the cam plate 22 with respect to the roll cluster is somewhat critical and the above described carriage permits movement of the cam plate in the direction of the arrows 88. As a means for controlling the positioning of the cam plate 22, there are provided two adjusting screws 89 and 90. Screw 89 extends through an opening in an upstanding portion 82Elu of the carriage 82 and is threadedly engaged in a tapped bore provided in the arm 43, and serves to draw the carriage and cam 'u is actuated in sequence with other moving parts.

plate to the right when tightened. Adjusting screw 90 has its threaded engagement directly with the upstanding portion 82a of the carriage and bears against the end of the arm 43. Tightening of screw 90 tends to drive the carriage 82 to the left. Thus, when clamping screws 85 and `86 are loosened the carriage can readily be positively positioned by the screws 89 and 90.

As it is an object of the machine 10 to severely work the stock W as it is formed into a ring, the rolls 19, 20, and 21 are made quite small and as close together as is practical. The closeness of the rolls also reduces the length of unbent portions at the ends of the stock, and permits the rolling of chill rings of small diameter. As indicated before, the roll cluster overbends the workpiece W and the curved surface 23 reverse bends the stock to remove some of the curvature. To this end the cam plate 22 has an indentation 92' in its periphery, and in that of cam surface 23, which permits the positioning of that surface in the path of advancement of a workpiece W shontly after it emerges from the roll cluster. The surface 2-3 dellects the workpiece from following its natural path 24, and in so doing subjects the stock to a reverse bending.

The main portion 93 of the cam plate 22 serves as a guide on one side of the strip or workpiece W in its travel around the cam surface 23, while a washer-like guide 94 having an offset flange 94a serves in a like manner on the other side of the workpiece. The guide '94 is secured to the plate 22 by a screw means 94h and is 'aided in its guiding function by the retractable guide member 27. The latter, guide 27, assures the alignment of the leading end 25 of the workpiece with the roll cluster when it approaches Afor re-entry therein.

A shiftable guide plate 95 is secured by screws 96 and 97 in such a position that its edge 98 serves as a guide means by which the machine operator can align a length of stock for, insertion into the roll cluster. The screws 96 and 97 pass through elongated openings in the plate 95' by reason of which a horizontal adjustment of the plate may be accomplished to accommodate stock of different widths.

The retractable guide 27 is pivoted at 100 to a support 101 which is secured to the stationary block v17. A connecting means in the form of a link 102 is pivotally connected to the retractable guide at 103, and is attached to the handle 29 by a lost motion connection comprising a pin or bolt means 104 extending through and slidable in a slot 105 defined in the end of the link. The operation of the retractable guide 27 in response to movement of the handle 29 will be described presently in relation to the actuation of other par-ts.

The ejector 20 is operative in a manner which contributesnotably to the efliciency of the machine 10 in that it is under the control tof the single handle 29 and yet The ejector 2S is supported for rotation about a vertical axis by a shaft `106 which is turnable in a supporting bearing 107. The shaft 106 is secured to a lever arm 108 for rotation therewith. A yconnecting means in the form of an actuating rod 109 is pivotally attached at 110 to the lever arm 108 and is adapted to transmit motion thereto from the handle 29. f

Formed on the rod 109 is 4a plate 111 having a cam slot 112 -dened therein, the plate cooperating with a pin 113 extending from the handle 29 to eifect a lost motion connection between the rod and the operating handle. The cam slot 112 has a curvilinear porti-on 112e, the curvature thereof having its center at the pivot point 61, and a straight or downwardly extending portion 1121. Thus, in movement of the operating handle from the FIG. l position to the` FIG. 2 position, the pin 113 will describe a path of travel along the portion 112a of the slot 112. Upon further clockwise movement of handle 29, the pin 113 will bear against the end portion of the plate 111 delining the slot portion 112D, causing the rod 109 to chill rings of the character described.

d move to the right. A guide element 114, secured to rod 169 and partially encircling the arm 76 of bracket 60, constrains the rod against vertical displacement during its movement. Motion of the rod 169 to the right rotates the lever arm 163 and the shaft 1116 to actuate the ejector 28.

When a workpiece W has been formed into a completed ring 30, the handle 29 is moved completely to the right. The initial movement of the handle rotates the cam member 62, allowing the roll cluster to open in the manner described heretofore while pin 104 traverses the slot 105 in the retractable guide connecting link 1112. As roll 21 continues to lower, ythe glide 27 is retracted to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, clearing the way for the ring 30 lto be ejected by ejector 28 as the handle 29 continues its movement and pin 113 shifts rod 109 to the right. Thus a sequence of opening of the rolls, retraction of the guide 27, and actuation of the ejector 28 is carried tout.

A return of the handle 29 to its FIG. 1 position will first return the ejector 2S to its idle position, then lower the guide 27 to its guiding position, and complete the closing of the rolls, lleaw'ng the machine 10 with all parts accurately positioned and ready to receive a subsequent workpiece.

To accommodate the machine 11b to the production of chill rings 3d of a variety of sizes a number of adjustments have been provided for in the structure described. Rings of different thicknesses and widths, as well as different diameters may be readily made.

In setting up the machine for production of a ring of given dimensions, a cam plate 22 having a cam surface 23 of the appropriate size is selected. The width of the stock is accounted for by appropriately shifting the guide 95 and by placing the flange 9de of the guide 94 either toward or away from the machine in assembly. The retractable guide 27 has shim means 115 associated with the pivot 100 which may be utilized in a conventional manner to position the guide.

Adjustment of the roll cluster to determine the degree of bending to be imparted to the stock is accomplished by shifting roll 21 with respect to rolls 19 and 20 through the agency of the adjusting nut 51 on the draw rod 47. As an aid in setting this adjustment an index member 117 is secured to the rotatableguide 54 and has an index mark 118 thereon which cooperates with the graduations on the disk 52, the relation between the index member 118 and the disk remaining undisturbed even when the disk is displaced from the horizontal by opening of the rolls.

The carriage 82 is adjusted by screws 89 and 9@ to achieve the desired amount of reverse bending of the stock by the cam surface 23 in the manner indicated in the description of the carriage structure.

Within the drive housing 13 is the means for driving the rolls 19, 26, and 21 comprising three tumble shafts 119, 129, and 121 having hexagonal sockets 119e, 120e, and 121EL in engagement with the hexagonally-shaped ends of the roll shafts 19a, 20a and 21a, respectively. `The tumble shafts 119, 121i, 121 are likewise engaged with hexagonal projections on the Shafts 122, 123 and 124, which carry cooperating gears 125, 126 and 127, respectively. Shaft 123 is drivenv from a suitable motor and carries a gear 126 from which gears 125 and 127 derive their rotation in the directions indicated in FIG. 6. The hexagonal sockets and projections provide universal connections with the roll shafts 19a, Zita, and 21a, the connections being flexible enough to permit the shifting of roll 21 with respect to rolls 1g and. 20 while maintaining parallel axes of rotation between all three rolls.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a ring rolling machine has been provided which will lend itself to the rapid and efficient production of It will also be apparent that the subject machine embodies such an association of mechanisms and linkages as result in a particularly rugged and reliable device, capable of carrying out its useful functions with a minimum of upkeep and attention.

Although the ring rolling machine of this invention has been described with particularity herein, it is understood that the invention is not to be so limited, but rather is to include such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Having described my invention I claim:

l. A ring rolling apparatus having a frame including a fixed portion and a swingable portion, a roll cluster having a pair of rolls rotatably mounted on said fixed portion and a shiftable roll rotatably mounted on said swingable portion for motion therewith toward and away from said pair of rolls into and out of closed and open positions, said roll cluster being adapted to advance and bend strip stock, a first cam on said swingable portion of said frame and having a convex circular surface adapted to reverse bend said stock and to guide said stock to said roll cluster for re-entry and subsequent bending thereby, a second cam pivoted on said frame and having a ramp portion, a draw rod pivotally connected to said swingable portion of said frame, a flanged member adjustably positioned on said draw rod and engaging said ramp portion, biasing means urging said swingable portion to said open position, a lever secured to said second cam and adapted to pivot said cam to cause said ramp portion to move said flange and draw rod to bring said swingable portion and said shiftable roll to said closed position against the action of said biasing means, a retractable guide movably supported on said frame and arranged in a guiding position to maintain said stock in alignment with said surface and said roll cluster with -said shiftable roll in said closed position, a ring ejector movably mounted on said frame and adapted to move from an idle position to eject a ring from said roll cluster when said shiftable roll is in said open position, a first connecting means between said lever and said retractable guide and a second connecting means between said lever and said ejector whereby during movement of said lever to move said shiftable roll to said open position said guide is retracted from said guiding position and said ejector is moved to eject a ring.

2. The apparatus of claim l wherein said first connecting means includes a lost motion connection and said second connecting means includes a pin and a cam slot connection whereby during operation of said lever to move said shiftable roll to said open position said retractable guide is retracted before said ejector is moved to eject a ring, and during operation of said lever to move said shiftable roll to said closed position said ejector is moved to said idle position before said retractable guide is moved to said guiding position.

3. In a machine for rolling rings from discrete lengths of strip stock, a frame having a stationary -block and a movable block, first and second driven rolls journaled for rotation about fixed axes in said stationary block, a third driven roll journaled in said movable block whereby said third roll is adapted to be moved toward and away from said first and second rolls into and out of closed and open positions, said rolls being cooperable to advance said stock therebetween and to impart a curvature thereto by bending, a guide plate having a. substantially circular convex guiding surface and secured to said movable block for movement therewith, said guiding surface extending about said third roll and adapted to lead said stock back to said rolls for re-entry therein, a retractable guide member pivoted to said frame for rotation about an axis parallel to said xed axes between a guiding position partially overlying said guide plate and a retracted position for permitting a ring to be removed from around said guide plate, a single operating lever pivoted to said frame, a cam member connected to said handle for pivotal movement therewith, a draw rod pivotally connected to said movable block and having a cam follower adjustably positioned thereon, said cam follower and draw rod being adapted to be moved by said pivotal movement of said cam member for `drawing said movable block and said third roll into said closed position upon movement of said handle in one direction, and a connecting link between said lever and said retractable guide member for movement thereof to said retracted position upon movement of said handle in the other direction.

4. In a machine for rolling rings from discrete lengths of stock, a -frame having a stationary portion first roll means supported by said stationary portion for rotation about iixed axes, said frame having a movable portion, second roll means supported by said movable portion and being movable thereby toward and away from said first roll means into and out of closed and open positions, said rst and second roll means being cooperable in said closed position to advance the stock therebetween and to impart a curvature thereto by bending, a guide plate mounted on said frame and having a substantially circular convex surface in the path of stock bent by said roll means and adapted to reverse bend said stock to remove some of the curvature thereof, said guide plate positioned to cause said stock to re-enter said roll means, a swingable guide member pivoted to said frame and adapted to be moved between a guiding position adjacent said guide plate for keeping the stock on said convex surface and retracted position for permitting said stock to be removed from said convex surface, an ejector member pivoted to said frame for movement between a stock guiding position and an operated position for removing a ring from said convex surface of said guide plate, a single operating lever pivoted to said frame for movement between first and second positions, a bifurcated cam member pivoted to said frame and connected to said handle `for movement therewith, a draw rod connected to said movable portion of said frame and extending through said bifurcated cam member, a cam following element on said draw rod and in engagement with said bifurcated cam member for movement thereby, a first connecting link having a lost motion slot therein connecting said lever and said swingable guide member, and a second connecting link having a lost motion slot therein and connecting said lever and said ejector member, whereby upon movement of said lever from said iirst position to said second position said cam follower will ride down said bifurcated cam member allowing said second roll means to move to its open position and said first and second links will in sequence move said guide member to its retracted position and move said ejector to its operated position, and upon movement of said lever to said rst position said second and first links will in sequence move said ejector to its guiding position and said guide member to its guiding position while said bifurcated cam member will effect movement of said second roll means to its closed position.

5. A machine according to claim 4 further including an adjusting member threadedly engaged on said draw rod and adapted to be advanced therealong for adjustably positioning said camfollowing element on said draw rod whereby said closed position of said second roll means may be adjustably predetermined.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 409,643 Manville Aug. 20, 1889 903,224 Norden Nov. 10, 1908 1,756,427 Gunter Apr. 29, 1930 1,762,556 Marshall June 10, 1930 2,043,792 Blank et al. June 9, 1936 2,111,574 Solenberger Mar. 22, 1938 2,197,906 Tucker Apr. 23, 1940 2,675,849 Greenshields et al. Apr. 20, 1954 2,869,591 Larkin Ian. 10, 1959 

